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North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray, an Ardrey Kell High alumnus, returns to the Tar Heels after leading the team in tackles as a sophomore.

The North Carolina Tar Heels brought a familiar face to ACC football media day on Thursday.

Cedric Gray, a former Ardrey Kell High standout, represented the Tar Heels at the 2022 ACC Football Kickoff alongside Josh Downs, British Brooks, and head coach Mack Brown. The linebacker talked to media about various subjects, including last season’s failures and next season’s expectations for the team and himself with a greater leadership role on defense.

“It’s a good feeling, always, to be back and recognized on a level such as this,” Gray said. “I’m just really excited to get the season started and to keep leading the team.”
Gray was a standout receiver and linebacker at Ardrey Kell, recording 2,647 receiving yards, 27 touchdowns, and 130 tackles over three seasons. He wasn’t highly recruited – UNC was his only Power Five offer – but had qualities Brown liked.

“We saw his aggressiveness, his passion, his love for playing the game, and his leadership,” Brown said. “And here he is sitting up here today as one of the best players not only in the ACC, but in the country.”

Although Gray had a stellar season in 2021, leading the Tar Heels in tackles as a sophomore, the team as a whole was underwhelming. UNC was ranked No. 10 going into week one with New Year’s Six bowl expectations yet finished 6-7 with a loss to South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

“I definitely think the hype kind of got to us a little bit,” he said. “I definitely think we got a little big headed last year as a team. We might have not focused on the little things as much last year, and it definitely showed.”

On the defensive end, not doing the little things well was shown, giving up the second most touchdowns and fourth most yards per game in the ACC. One of their worst performances came in the bowl game when they gave up three touchdown plays of over 30 yards — two of them over 60. As a result, UNC parted ways with former defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and brought in Gene Chizik, who held the same position with the Tar Heels in 2015 and 2016.

Last season’s defense also lost key leaders in linebackers Jeremiah Gemmel and Tomon Fox, leaving Gray as one of the main voices on that side of the ball.

“I call myself a leader, so I feel like I’ve been really trying to take over that role this offseason,” Gray said, emphasizing Tar Heels coaches want team leaders to improve by holding each other accountable. He’s doing his part in making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do — eating right, getting tutoring, giving effort, and being tough.

“We’re gonna be in some tough games coming this year. We already know we’re gonna have to play in some tough environments, and we just gotta be tough to get through those things,” Gray said.

From the perspective of offensive teammates that go against him in practice, Gray brings that toughness to the field. Brooks talked about the competitiveness of Gray and fellow linebacker Power Echols (Julius Chambers High), describing reps against them as a “dogfight.”

“Ced is not a big talker, but you know he’s gonna come,” Brooks said.

Downs shared similar thoughts, calling Gray a “dog” on the field, and looking forward to his success next season starting Aug. 27 against Florida A&M.

“I’ve always thought Cedric was gonna be great,” Downs said, “When he first came in here, I was telling somebody, I forgot who it was, I was like ‘Cedric’s gonna go to the league. He’s gonna get drafted.’ He’s living up to that right now.”

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